Broncos young gun Reece Walsh and Knights superstar Kalyn Ponga shared a moment of “ultimate respect” following Brisbane’s 24-20 win over Newcastle.
Walsh, 20, won a heated battle for Queensland’s No.1 jersey beating out incumbent Ponga despite the fullback delivering a matchwinning performance in the series decider in 2022.
Maroons coach Billy Slater conceded Ponga’s head knocks this season raised concerns and the Broncos gun’s form was also hard to ignore.
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Newcastle’s marquee man spent an extended period sidelined and travelled to Canada to undergo neurological testing following a Round 2 blow.
Ponga reportedly ruled himself out of the 2023 series after missing out on selection, texting Slater to inform him of the news according to News Corp.
Walsh delivered a huge debut performance in Adelaide series opener, and Ponga has made it clear he wants to pay for Queensland in the future.
But for now, the pair have nothing but respect for each other.
“I know rugby league players we scrap, claw and fight for everything but to see the respect amongst those two men,” league legend Cooper Cronk said as Walsh and Ponga embraced.
“They delivered in their performance, they know the Queensland (fullback) is there between them.
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“That’s ultimate respect right there.”
Following the Broncos’ hard-fought victory, Walsh was asked what was said between the pair.
“It was good, obviously as a kid I grew up watch KP (Ponga) play and to be able to share the field with him it is a dream come true,” Walsh said.
“He was just congratulating me on the footy I have been playing this year and I was doing the same thing, he’s had a couple of knocks and he is back out on the field doing what KP does. It is really good to see.”
Walsh will once again wear the No.1 jersey for Queensland in Game II of the 2023 series, as the Maroons host the Blues in an attempt to lift the shield.